Ever Thankful

Read Psalm 107:1-9

Say "Thank you" to the Lord for being so good, for always being so loving and kind. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies. Psalm 107:1-2 (TLB)

But whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God, the Creator of all light, and he shines forever without change or shadow. James 1:17 (TLB)

Cindy C. Ragland lives in Virginia. Her daughter loves to decorate for Thanksgiving. Each year, she fills their dining room with string lights, decorative turkeys, and fall foliage. One year she started a new tradition of taking a photo of each family member with an instant camera as they arrived for dinner. She asked everyone to write what they were most thankful for at the bottom of their photo. She then displayed the pictures during dinner, and they became the topic of conversation that year. As their family talked about their blessings and the many things they had to be thankful for, they became overwhelmed with gratitude.

As we face daily pressures and stress, it is hard to focus on the many gifts God provides. It's easy to believe that good things happen as a result of our own work, but James 1:17 reminds us that every good gift is from God. How might our outlook change if we spent more time each day focusing on our blessings and giving thanks for God's love and faithfulness? Psalm 107:1 says, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever." Even on our worst days, when everything seems broken, we can find peace in God's love and give thanks for God's many blessings.

Prayer: dear God, open our eyes and hearts to recognize the many gifts and blessings you provide each day. Thank you for your constant love and provision, in Jesus' name. Amen.